mizzen

or miz·en

[ miz-uhn ]

noun

1. a fore-and-aft sail set on a mizzenmast. Compare crossjack, spanker ( def 1a ).
2. mizzenmast.

adjective

1. of or relating to a mizzenmast.
2. noting a sail, yard, boom, etc., or any rigging belonging to a mizzen lower mast or to some upper mast of a mizzenmast.
3. noting any stay running aft and upward to the head of a mizzen lower mast or some specified upper mast of a mizzenmast:

   mizzen topmast stay.

mizzen

/ ˈmɪzən /

noun

1. a sail set on a mizzenmast
2. short for mizzenmast

adjective

1. of or relating to any kind of gear used with a mizzenmast

   a mizzen staysail

Word History and Origins

Origin of mizzen¹

1375–1425; late Middle English meson, mesan, probably < Italian mezzana

Word History and Origins

Origin of mizzen¹

C15: from French misaine, from Italian mezzana, mezzano middle

Example Sentences

I now have to keep fencing with Accrux while I have managed to throw your sword flying and getting stuck into the mizzen mast.

From Economist

When first I saw her she was having a new mizzen fitted, her old mast having been lost in a gale outside the Wight.

From Project Gutenberg

The blue ensign of Great Britain hung motionless from the mizzen of the yacht Petrel.

From Project Gutenberg

See the private signal at the mizzen, the foam falling from the bows, and bubbling astern!

From Project Gutenberg

So the main boom and gaff were shortened, the area of the mainsail considerably reduced, and a mizzen mast was stepped in the counter, on which we set a snug jib-headed sail.

From Project Gutenberg